Dannaz Ladies head coach Fatai Bashiru says his side is approaching their Lagos Derby clash against an unbeaten FC Robo Queens team with confidence and belief, despite the challenge ahead in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership, www.aclsports.com reports.
Speaking ahead of the fixture on Wednesday, Bashiru described the encounter as a contest that will be decided by the better side on the day, insisting his players are focused on securing all three points.
“It’s a free game for the better side, and it’s a game we are approaching with a winning mentality,” he said.
Dannaz Ladies head into the derby looking to bounce back from defeat in their last league outing against Sunshine Queens, a result Bashiru believes was influenced by avoidable situations that have since been addressed in training.
“Yes, we lost due to some unforeseen situations. As you know, it was two penalties. We have trained to avoid such things in the next game,” the coach explained.
Robo Queens have enjoyed an impressive start to the season, winning all three of their matches without conceding a goal, but Bashiru remains unfazed by their defensive record.
“It’s not going to be an easy task, but it’s something that can be dealt with,” he said when asked about breaking down their defence.
While Lagos derbies are often known for the extra pressure and atmosphere surrounding them, Bashiru downplayed the significance of the tag, stressing that his team is treating the game like any other league fixture.
“Yes, it’s a Lagos derby, but I don’t think it’s different from other games, it’s just the way people are attracted to it,” he noted.
The Dannaz Ladies coach also highlighted the importance of returning to winning ways against a strong opponent, pointing to the impact it could have on his players’ confidence and league standing.
“It’s very, very important. Winning will raise the mentality of the girls and it will also change the table as well,” Bashiru concluded.
With both teams sharing the same stadium and local pride at stake, the Lagos Derby promises to be a crucial test for Dannaz Ladies as they look to halt Robo Queens’ perfect start to the season.
